Wednesday, 31 August 2016

BA' Disqus'sion: Preparation for GD

Dear Readers,

Welcome to BA Disqus'sions. SBI recently released GD-Interview(Phase-III) Call Letters and now you should start preparing to face Group Discussion. We’ve already given you some Tips for both Group Discussion and Personal Interview and now we’ll discuss some important topics for Group Discussion. Although nothing can be assured of what topic you might have to face in GD, but still you should have adequate knowledge regarding some important scenarios and topics.

Today we’ll discussFat Tax.

In this initiative a mod will conduct the discussion and all the irrelevant disruptions will be blocked. In this post, we are going to discuss some important points on the topic Fat tax for Group Discussion. Rules:☑Only subject related discussion and quizzes are allowed, so if you are on Banking Awareness Quiz, then quizzes and information related to Banking and Finance will be allowed.☑ No other kind of chit chat will be permitted.☑ Any body who indulges in chitchat in this particular page will be blocked right away(Without Warning)

☞What is Fat Tax?

A fat tax is a specific tax placed on foods considered to be unhealthy and contribute towards obesity. The tax could be placed on foods high in sugar / fat, such as crisps, chocolate and deep fried takeaways. It is similar in principle to a cigarette or alcohol tax. A Fat tax makes people pay social cost of unhealthy food.

☞Fat tax in India.

The Kerala government has imposed a 14.5 per cent 'fat tax' on burgers, pizzas and other junk food served in branded restaurants which officials from the quick service industry termed as 'detrimental' to consumption while some indicated the levy may not be passed on to customers. In layman’s terms, the "fat tax" would raise the cost of a medium chicken pizza from rupees 350 to 400. It may not affect more than 90 per cent of Keralites as people in the state are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out.

☞Fat tax in other countries

Levying taxes on high calorie food items and drinks is one way to rein in consumption. Denmark introduced a fat tax in 2011 but repealed it by 2013 when it found consumers shopping across the border for high fat goods. Hungary taxes foods high in sugar, salt and fat. Mexico taxes sugary drinks, breakfast cereals and sweets. In the US, battles are being fought over taxes on sugary drinks. Philadelphia became the first major city in the US to introduce a soda tax.

☞Arguments on Fat Tax

✍Paradoxically, India has high rates of both obesity and malnourishment. According to the World Bank, the number of malnourished children is double that of sub-Saharan Africa; at the same time, India ranks third in the world for obesity, after the US and China. Many doctors blame India’s ever-expanding waistlines on unhealthy eating habits imported from the west, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles in the rapidly urbanising nation. So imposing a fat tax can be a positive move in this context.

✍By imposing a tax, the government has made it a little more non-affordable and costlier for the customer. Imposing (the tax) is not going to change consumption patterns. The LDF government's budget move is aimed at curbing consumption of junk food but may not end up doing so.

Remember GD is about expressing your knowledge and views, the more you are aware about the subject, the more it will help you to put forth your perspective firmly.